What were the key ideas in the movement?
During the time period in which the South African Civil Rights Movement occurred, racial discrimination was the issue that spurred the start of the movement.
With the enactment of apartheid laws in 1948, racial discrimination was institutionalized. Laws that segregated the Africans affected every aspect of social life, including a prohibition of marriage between non-whites and whites, and racial preference with ‘white only’ jobs. In 1950, the Population Registration Act required that all South Africans be racially classified into one of three categories: white, black (African), or coloured (of mixed decent). A black person would be of or accepted as a member of an African tribe or race. The Department of Home Affairs (a government bureau) was responsible for the classification of the population. Non-compliance
with the race laws were dealt with harshly. All blacks were required to carry ``pass books'' containing fingerprints, photo and information on access to non-black areas. All of this amounted to years of unfair treatment of the indigenous Africans and eventually they were forced to act to regain they're rights and fight the oppression.
Population Registration Act
"A White person is one who is in appearance obviously white – and not
generally accepted as Coloured – or who is generally accepted as White – and is
not obviously Non-White, provided that a person shall not be classified as a
White person if one of his natural parents has been classified as a Coloured
person or a Bantu..."
"A Bantu is a person who is, or is generally accepted as, a member of any
aboriginal race or tribe of Africa..."
"A Coloured is a person who is not a White person or a Bantu..."
To summarize, the main reasons of the South African Civil Rights movement was to alleviate the hardship of black South Africans by removing all racial segregation and discrimination.
With the enactment of apartheid laws in 1948, racial discrimination was institutionalized. Laws that segregated the Africans affected every aspect of social life, including a prohibition of marriage between non-whites and whites, and racial preference with ‘white only’ jobs. In 1950, the Population Registration Act required that all South Africans be racially classified into one of three categories: white, black (African), or coloured (of mixed decent). A black person would be of or accepted as a member of an African tribe or race. The Department of Home Affairs (a government bureau) was responsible for the classification of the population. Non-compliance
with the race laws were dealt with harshly. All blacks were required to carry ``pass books'' containing fingerprints, photo and information on access to non-black areas. All of this amounted to years of unfair treatment of the indigenous Africans and eventually they were forced to act to regain they're rights and fight the oppression.
Population Registration Act
"A White person is one who is in appearance obviously white – and not
generally accepted as Coloured – or who is generally accepted as White – and is
not obviously Non-White, provided that a person shall not be classified as a
White person if one of his natural parents has been classified as a Coloured
person or a Bantu..."
"A Bantu is a person who is, or is generally accepted as, a member of any
aboriginal race or tribe of Africa..."
"A Coloured is a person who is not a White person or a Bantu..."
To summarize, the main reasons of the South African Civil Rights movement was to alleviate the hardship of black South Africans by removing all racial segregation and discrimination.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
~Verse from "Invictus" by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY